Alan Shearer has given advice to Florian Wirtz and other Liverpool forwardsplaceholder image
Alan Shearer has given advice to Florian Wirtz and other Liverpool forwards | Getty Images
Alan Shearer has urged Liverpool’s attackers to back themselves more in front of goal
The Reds are still yet to register their first Premier League win of 2026 as their form has once again taken a significant dip. There’s a lot of finger-pointing going on and Arne Slot in particular is feeling the heat.
The Bournemouth loss raised a lot of talking points and Shearer has raised a simple but crucial takeaway from Saturday’s outing.
Florian Wirtz must act on Alan Shearer comments
The Newcastle legend highlighted Liverpool’s lack of confidence to aim for goal during their attacks. While pulling up examples of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Wirtz in front of goal, all three opted to attempt a pass rather than shoot.
Wirtz in particular had a chance to curl a shot into the goal after a long pass across the pitch from Dominik Szoboszlai. The German drove himself into space with the chance to have an attempt on goal but instead opted to play in to a central Ryan Gravenberch, who ended up being dispossessed.
“Why is he not having a shot? Look, he works it really well onto the left foot,” Shearer said during the BBC’s Match of the Day. “Bend it into the corner! He chooses the worst option, again, it’s a terrible pass and nothing comes of it.”
In the second half, Wirtz also found himself with the chance to shoot from just outside the box, with plenty of space to pull the trigger. However, he tried to play it into the area but passed the ball to no one in the end.
“Again, Wirtz works himself into a good position. Again, he chooses not to shoot. Why? You’re not going to score goals.
“The two goals they got were from set pieces but, as I said, they get into good positions but they were so wasteful. That’s why I say they’ve gone soft.”
Florian Wirtz must take on board Alan Shearer criticism
Wirtz came under serious fire during the first four months of his maiden season with Liverpool. It took him until December to get his first Premier League goal on the board and went on a frustrating 16-game run shooting blanks.
He has since looked more like the influential playmaker the Reds signed from Bayer Leverkusen over the summer. However, it’s clear from the Bournemouth game that he, and others around him, are lacking in confidence in front of goal.
Wirtz and his attacking teammates must back themselves more and take chances or Liverpool’s slump will only continue. The Reds are in dire need of a pick-me-up performance in the Premier League and that will only happen if Slot’s forwards reignite their confidence and back themselves as they usually would.
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